Classic cars out in style for Pottstown Nostalgia Nights opener

POTTSTOWN — High Street became a museum for drivable history on Saturday night as classic cars lined the streets.

The Pottstown Classics Car Club hosted the first of its summer Nostalgia Nights and more than 100 cars entered the show.

The gleaming hoods of the cars were propped up to show off the engine work, windows down inviting passerby to gaze at the upholstery and dashboard revitalizations and their proud owners sitting behind them fielding questions from curious enthusiasts.

Hand-painted flames danced across the hoods and down the sides of some of the cars, while others boasted reproductions of their original colors.

Pedestrians couldn’t avoid the spectacular show between York and Franklin streets.

Tony Ziemba, president of the Pottstown Classics Car Club, said there were all makes and models of cars entered, some as old as 1920.

Among the car enthusiasts were Ronald and Joanne Heidenrich with a bright green 1932 Ford Pickup.

The couple bought the truck six years ago and saved it from a condition described by Heidenrich as “a basket case.”

Despite the dilapidated condition, he said he saw the potential the truck had. A veteran of classic car rebuilds, Heidenrich said getting a car in bad shape and fixing it up is one of his favorite things. In the case of the ’32 pickup, he said he replaced everything but the cab, even putting in a Corvette engine.

“Corvettes are no dogs, they go fast,” he said.

Over the three year period it took to fix the car, they spent $70,000 on the restoration.

Despite the complete overhaul and the age of the car, the Heidenrichs drive the car regularly and they are proud that they do, said Joanne Heidenrich. “This is not a trailer queen,” she said. She said people often gawk and take photos when they drive by.

“That’s the fun part about it,” added Ronald Heidenrich. “Driving something you built,” he said.

Bringing a classic car back is a sentiment Jerry Warseheski understands.

He and his wife were sitting behind their 1966 red Chevrolet Impala Saturday night, watching the people walk by.

“We chose this car because we had one when we were younger, but like everything else, we had kids and needed a new car,” he said.

He said their Impala was gold, and just like their first one, he drives it almost every day. “It’s bringing back the old days,” he said. “Makes more noise, eats more gas, love every minute of it.”

Audrey Miller also got her classic car because it reminded her of when she was younger.

The Dusk Rose Thunderbird was the only car she wanted growing up, so when the car became available she and her husband bought it.

Miller, like the Heidenrichs, also takes her car to multiple shows. She went to one on Saturday morning in Frederick.

Ziemba knows that many spectators come to the shows to see pieces of their past and share memories.

But some were there to look and learn.

Tabby Johnson’s son, Bryce, said he liked the white cars and wants a classic car when he gets older.

Johnson thought this would be a good event to get her kids out of the house.

The family atmosphere is exactly what Ziemba and the club aim to create, he said.

Classic music could be heard over the speakers down High Street and kids were dancing along in the street.

Ziemba said that he can’t wait to see how the rest of the shows go this summer and to see all of the cars that enthusiasts enter.

Nostalgia Nights are held the first Saturday of the month on High Street in Pottstown from May to September.